As new COVID-19 cases continue to decline, thousands of New Yorkers are returning to the office. Schools, sit-down restaurants, and fitness centers are reopening (at least partially). After more than a year of lockdowns, people are having their first hugs, high-fives, and handshakes of 2021.

Vaccines and loosening restrictions offer hope of a return to normalcy. At the same time, it’s clear that life post-COVID will never be the same. Many people lost friends and family members. Others lost jobs or were forced to close businesses. Most people haven’t recovered from pandemic fatigue, including professionals stuck working at home. Despite pressure to return to the office, many working parents simply can’t go back to work at the office because they have no childcare.

The cultural landscape has also changed for the worse. Mental health is suffering, with anxiety and depression rates at all-time highs. Opposing political parties are as divided as ever, with no sign of finding common ground anytime soon. In New York, attacks on Asian Americans and other minorities have soared.

Many people spent the first months of the pandemic wondering, “When will life go back to normal?” Now the question seems to be, “Will we ever get back to normal?”

Many people are struggling with the post-pandemic transition

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The world has always been a scary place, but it’s particularly anxiety-inducing right now. Lockdowns gave us the perfect excuse to withdraw inward and hide from it. If the thought of going back out into the world makes you feel depressed, anxious, reluctant or burned out, you’re in good company.

After all, who wouldn’t be reluctant to trade their comfy sweatpants back in for slacks? After so many months of baking and stress eating, many people’s work clothes don’t fit anymore, anyway. Previously, you might’ve been eager to go back to work after lockdown, wondering, “When will the pandemic end?” Now that you’ve finally adjusted to pandemic life, it’s no surprise you’re experiencing back-to-work anxiety.

It’s also possible that logistics aren’t even your biggest concern. Hundreds of new COVID cases are still popping up in New York every day. You might have health problems, unvaccinated children, or at-risk relatives to worry about. Despite social pressure to remove your mask, hop on the subway, and reenter society, you might wonder whether it’s truly safe to do so. At the same time, you might worry about other people’s judgments and reactions to your caution.

Adjusting to the “new normal”

The most important thing you can do right now is to show yourself some compassion. I don’t know ANYONE who is at the top of their game right now, so it’s okay if you’re not, either. You’re facing a significant lifestyle readjustment before you’ve even had a chance to recover from the last one. So, give yourself a break!

We also recommend that you adjust your expectations. Despite how badly you might want to get back to normal, there may not be any “normal” to go back to in some areas of your life. You don’t need to pretend that the pandemic never happened when you go back to work after lockdown; your colleagues experienced it, too, and will be having similar difficulties.

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Even if you prefer not to discuss your difficulties at work, you should find someone you trust to open up to. Ideally, you’ll meet regularly with an experienced therapist as you adjust to post-pandemic life. Meeting with a beloved friend or family member can also help, but we recommend you don’t go overboard with social events just yet. We’re all trying to remember how to “people,” and most of us are still trying to recover from pandemic fatigue.

Another tip: take time to adjust. If you’re getting a barrage of social invitations, consider saying “no” to some of them and limit the length of social visits. We also recommend taking it slow in terms of returning to the office. If you can’t go back to work full-time yet because you have no childcare or you want to work on your mental health, negotiate a compromise or extension with your boss. Be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t do, and set boundaries accordingly.

If you ever want to recover from pandemic fatigue, you must also pay attention to even the most basic elements of self-care. Set yourself up for success by coming up with three easy commitments. For example, you can agree to go to the restroom whenever you need to, eat three meals a day, and go to bed every night by 10 p.m. Eventually, you can work up to more challenging goals, but you’ve got to fortify yourself first.

Overcome Back-To-Work Stress with Executive Counseling in New York City

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You’ll likely encounter many personal and professional challenges during your transition back to “normal” life. For help with back-to-work anxiety, occupational burnout, and other post-pandemic difficulties, consider working with one of our executive therapists in New York City. Through our online therapy platform, we are able to connect with individuals throughout the state of New York. During this time of transition in our personal and professional lives, executive therapy can certainly serve you well. A skilled therapist for executives can help you relearn boundaries in the workplace and find a routine with a new workday pace. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a free consult.